Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q. What is the Fraternal Order of Police?

A. The Fraternal Order of Police is the world's largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 325,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges. We are the voice of those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities. We are committed to improving the working conditions of law enforcement officers and the safety of those we serve through education, legislation, information, community involvement, and employee representation. No one knows the dangers and the difficulties faced by today's police officers better than another officer, and no one knows police officers better than the FOP.

Q. Who are the members of the Fraternal Order of Police?

A. The Fraternal Order of Police is comprised of over 325,000 regularly appointed or elected full-time employed law enforcement officers of the United States, any state or political subdivision thereof, or any law enforcement agency.

Q. What services does the Fraternal Order of Police provide?

A. The Fraternal Order of Police is a full service member representation organization. The membership of each local lodge determines the services that are provided by his/her local lodge. The members of each State Lodge determine what services are provided by the State Lodge. The National Fraternal Order of Police provides a wide variety of services.

Q. Am I eligible to join the Fraternal Order of Police?

A. If you are a regularly appointed or elected full-time employed law enforcement officer of the United States, any state or political subdivision thereof, or any other law enforcement agency, you can become a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. If you are a family member of a Fraternal Order of Police member you may join the FOP Auxiliary. If you are a supporter of Law Enforcement you may join the FOP Associates. Please contact your local Fraternal Order of Police lodge who will assist you through the membership process.

Q. Does the Fraternal Order of Police solicit donations via the telephone?

A. The National Fraternal Order of Police does not conduct telephone solicitations. However, the NC State and local FOP lodges do. If you have a question about a telephone call you received requesting that you make a donation to the FOP, please contact the local FOP lodge in your area or the FOP State Lodge in your state.

Q. What are the Annual dues for WS/FC FOP Lodge #8?

A. The WS/FC FOP annual dues are currently:

$75.00 for Active/Affiliate Members

$55.50 for Retired/Associate Members

Membership runs from November to October. Members renewing their membership must have their renewal card and dues to the Secretary/Treasurer NLT 1 October in order for the secretary/Treasurer to have the Lodge per capita into the State Lodge by 1 November. Any new members joining between October and May must pay the full year dues amount, however any members joining between May and October will only pay 1/2 the amount of the annual dues ($37.50) with the full amount being due the following October.

Q. How will my annual dues be affected if I am called to active duty with my National Guard or Reserve Unit?

A. Lodge #8 proudly pay’s your dues as long as you are deployed through the United States military. Please send us a copy of your military orders calling you to active duty, and please notify us of any extensions to your service dates. We appreciate your patriotism and dedication in defense of our country.

Q. How does the FOP dues compare to the PBA dues?

A. Lodge #8 FOP dues are $75.00 per year and PBA dues are $249.00 per year.

Death Benefits

Q. What are the Death Benefits of the Fraternal Order of Police?

A. A basic benefit of $3,000 will be paid for a death by natural causes. An additional benefit of $3,000 in the event of an accidental death and another $3,000 in the event of line of duty death. i.e.: Natural -$3,000; Accidental - $6,000; Line of Duty - $9,000.

Q. May I keep my Death Benefits after I retire?

A. Yes, but to become eligible for lifetime membership in the Death Benefit Program, law enforcement officers must maintain continuous membership in the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police at least five years prior to retirement, unless the individual is retired on an unforeseen disability through his law enforcement retirement system.

Q. How do my survivors apply for my Death Benefit?

A. If a member dies for any reason; the death benefit claims form must be completed. (The form is found in the Lodge manual as well as the State Lodge Website). Fill out the form along with the death certificate (with a raised seal) and send to the State Lodge Office for processing. A copy of the police report must be attached if an accidental or line of duty death occurs.

Legal Aid Benefits

Q. What is theFOP Legal Defense Benefit of the ?

A. As an additional benefit to the FOP membership, the State FOP Lodge, through its Legal Defense Fund, offers to assist in the legal defense of members in good standing with the State Lodge and their local lodge when such members face litigation or prosecution for acts within the scope of a member's employment as a law enforcement officer. This would include civil actions, disciplinary actions and or criminal actions against the member for acts committed within the scope of a member's employment as a law enforcement officer.

The Legal Defense Fund is for those situations where the law enforcement officer inflicts fatal or serious injuries upon a person or persons, is sued for civil damages or prosecuted on criminal charges related to any incident that occurs within the member's scope of employment or faces suspension without pay or termination as a result of any incident that occurs within the member's scope of employment.

Q. Who administers the NC FOP Legal Defense Plan?

A. The NC FOP Legal Defense Plan is administered by the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge. It is separate and apart from the National FOP Legal Defense Plan. There is no limit on the amount of funding the NC State FOP Lodge may spend on the legal defense of a qualifying member.

Q. Who is covered under the Legal Defense Benefit?

A. All active FOP members who, at the time of the incident which necessitates legal defense, are active law enforcement officers in good standing with the N.C. FOP and their local lodge.

Q. May I choose my attorney?

A. Yes. The State Lodge does not choose your attorney. However, the State Lodge through the Legal Aid Committee may recommend a particular attorney. Lodge #8 porvides a list of local attorney's that have agreed to reperdent FOP members. however you are not required to use any of these attorney's.

Q. Does the FOP pay me or my attorney?

A. The FOP pays the attorney, upon the attorney's submittal of a bill and the approval of the Legal Aid Committee.

Q. Are there any restrictions on the Legal Defense?

A. Some restrictions do apply; (The FOP has no monetary limit on the legal defense that may be provided).

1. Incident must occur in the performance of the officer's official duty. Any alleged or actual act or omission that is not duty related will not be covered.

2. Eligible officers must make the request for assistance, in writing. In the event of critical incident situations, immediate funds can be approved by any Lodge #8 Board of Directors member over the phone; however, a follow-up written request is required. Currently, the normal procedure, in an emergency, is to telephone the Lodge President and receive verbal approval. The president or his/her designee may offer to call the attorney of your choice or instruct you to call your attorney. In the event of a critical incident the FOP, upon your request, will provide an attorney to contact you ASAP, even coming to the scene if necessary.

3. The written request must be sent to the Legal Aid Committee with copies to the Local Lodge President and to the Local Lodge State Trustee for the convenience of the State Lodge.

4. Any claims for payment which are not specifically related to legal defense matters, will not be covered.

5. The legal defense fund is applicable to payment claims not covered by insurance or other contributors. An exception occurs where the member-applicant belongs to a lodge which has a legal defense fund in place. In those cases, the State Lodge will pay legal claims first before the member-applicant need apply for local monies.

6. Continuation of this plan and such payments as required will be subject to the funds available in the Legal Defense Fund of the N.C. FOP and/or any additional funding for the program that may be approved by the Board of Directors.

7. The provision of Legal Defense Funds is designed solely to assist active members of the N.C. FOP with their legal defense in appropriate actions; however, in the provision of such funds, the N.C. FOP assumes no responsibility for the actions or inactions of its members.

8. Any incident that occurred prior to 27 October 1990 will only be covered by the plan if approved by a majority of such Board.